[Welcome Home] Raindrops and Rainbows (Solo)

by **Orin Fenix** on May 31st, 2015, 3:35 pm

46th of Spring 515

A wall water rose up and splashed into Orin’s legs. The attack was punctuated by a high pitched giggle and a darting form. A fierce battle was being waged and so far Orin was getting the worst of it. But there was still some fight left in him. He spotted an opening and sprinted forward, bunching his legs together for a mighty leap. He flew across the ground and landed hard.

Splash!

Orin’s visit to The Welcome Home had been a bit strange but so far thoroughly enjoyable. The overcast skies of the day before had finally burst this morning and he had been soaked through. The rain wasn’t heavy, and it came and went, but it was persistent. It had quickly drenched Orin in the short amount of time he’d been outside the citadel’s walls on his way to the orphanage. He’d actually sprinted the last few feet so he could get under a roof sooner. His efforts had been in vain, since Aenysa had immediately foisted the children off on him. He ‘couldn’t have come at a better time’ since she had some pressing work to be done in the city and the girl Aenysa had hired to take over had gotten sick. Despite Orin’s protest Aenysa had left the orphans’ care in his hands. Of course he was a pushover when it came to children, especially those who had seen more than their fair share of tragedy. So when the suggestion had been made that they make a game out in the rain Orin didn’t have the heart to say no.

Which was how he found himself the target of a crowd of kids who seemed determined to hit every inch of his body with water. Orin stepped aside quickly as a wave approached, but two more came in from either side and he was trapped. At least his clothes were already wet before he started. And as he dashed towards another puddle and stomped in it, Orin was almost shocked to discover that he was actually having fun. There was something so silly and yet so natural about the laughter of children and the joy it brought that it infected Orin as well. Suddenly, Orin realized he was surrounded by the children and they all seemed to be moving simultaneously towards him. And then they hit the puddles and water was everywhere. When Orin could see again, he laughingly held up his hands in surrender. ”Fine, fine, you win you little savages.” His voice was teasing and affectionate and a ragged cheer burst from the victorious bunch. They started congratulating each other. Orin gave them a few ticks to settle, but not enough time to get into any real mischief, before he clapped his hands together to get their attention. ”We’re heading inside now, follow me.” Protests sprang up immediately, and the pleading wasn’t far behind. Orin had to steel himself against the puppy dog eyes, staying firm. ”You all will catch colds if you stay out here too long and then where will you be?” Orin grinned, and leaned forward as if letting them in on a secret. ”More importantly Aenysa would skin me alive, and then you wouldn’t get to see me again. So come on.” He turned and started slogging his way back to the house. They were in the spacious backyard area and it didn’t take long for them all to get back indoors.

by **Orin Fenix** on June 9th, 2015, 2:23 pm

Orin wiped his shoes off on the back porch, which thankfully was covered and did an admirable job of keeping the rain off, and made sure the children did as well. They were suddenly eager after the chill of the rain to come into the much warmer and cosier building. He was nearly stampeded by them and had to forcibly block the way deeper into the house to get them to take off their wet outerwear and their shoes. Unfortunately Orin hadn’t planned ahead well enough to bring his cloak so he’d have to make due with being wet until he dried from the inside out. Alternatively he could actually do something about his current plight. Immediately his mind sparked into action. He didn’t think Aenysa would mind if Orin used a few of her supplies to make everyone more comfortable. After all she hadn’t exactly objected to it the last time Orin had visited, so he doubted she would now. Once all of them had shuffled in, Orin shut the back door and started making his way to the front of the crowd. They parted but immediately closed up and propelled him forward. They passed through the lavishly appointed and well decorated Great Room, as it was aptly named, and predictably ended up in the kitchen.

The orphans knew Orin was a skilled cook and relentlessly took advantage of that fact on the few previous occasions that he had visited. So it was no surprise that it happened again. Still, even though he would blush and stammer if anyone actually tried to praise him, since he didn’t really feel he was all that skilled, he wasn’t above a bit of showing off. Still, without Aenysa present in the House at all Orin felt uncomfortable using her supplies. It wasn’t that he didn’t think she’d approve if she were here or that it wasn’t as if he didn’t have tacit permission to do as he wished. But still it just didn’t seem right somehow. But looking at the faces before him, who were doing the best to make a normal and a good childhood out of the shattered fragments whatever event had left them without their parents. So Orin had an incredibly difficult time turning them down. Even though watching the hope dim in their eyes wasn’t really ruining their lives, because they were resilient and bounced back far quicker than he ever did, that’s what it sometimes felt like. With all that in mind, Orin settled for a sort of middle ground. ”Now it’s not time for lunch yet, but how about I serve you something to warm us all up.” As he spoke he rummaged through the pantry and the cabinets, pulling out what he’d need. He found a pot relatively quickly, but the cider proved rather elusive and he almost thought it wasn’t there before he finally found it tucked into the back corner. Sniffing it, Orin was pleased to discover that it still smelled sweet and fresh. Most of the bottle went into the pot, which in turn went on the stove.

After checking underneath to make sure it was lit, Orin turned back to his charges. ”Now you scoundrels, each of you grab a cup. It’ll take a while to heat up but no sense in being unprepared.” They scurried off to do as he asked and it wasn’t long before they all returned, clutching their cups in their hands. Orin hesitated. He had run out of ideas so he turned back to them. ”What would you all like to do now?” A voice piped up from the back, too young to determine if it was a boy or a girl. ”A story! Tell us a story!” Orin’s jaw dropped. He wasn’t an entertainer of any kind. There were occasionally bards who came to The Rearing Stallion whose mastery of the spoken word was nothing short of magical. He was about as far from those bards as it was possible to be. Still he had to at least try. So he started with the first thought that popped into his head.

Clearing his throat and leaning against the counter, Orin paused for a moment, nervous, before launching into it. ”A long time ago, ah, well, I don’t know when but they say so long that it’s lost in the mists of time whatever that means, a man and a woman were very much in love. They had a lot of...siblings and acquaintances who squabbled, they fought all the time really, but their love meant they could ignore all that.” Orin didn’t have the proper cadence to captivate an audience. And he stumbled and stuttered and generally jumbled his words. But despite a few snickers the children didn’t seem to care. As long as he wasn’t boring them it was probably safe to continue.

Orin tried to settle into more and find a rhythm but he was afraid that it was simply beyond him. At the very least he managed to get rid of the unnecessary interjections that were his stock in trade. Although his inflection was neutral, his words came out a bit clearer once he got into the swing of things. ”The two were happy for a very long time. However, one of their most powerful friends had a lover. Through the machinations of another being, she was killed and the man’s grief and rage were terrible to behold. His fury sparked a war and it quickly swallowed the entire continent.” Orin trailed off letting the importance of his words sink in

by **Orin Fenix** on June 9th, 2015, 2:24 pm

A few of them were nodding as if they knew where this was going. They should, since it was history that should be fairly well known to everyone. ”Now as some of you may have guessed, this man and wife were actually gods, and we’re discussing the Valterrian. Now, Priskil and Aquiras still tried to stay out of it, not wanting to make it worse for anyone else. But there was a very powerful, very clever, and very evil wizard. Using all the knowledge at his disposal, he broke into the home of Priskil and Aquiras, and in the ensuing struggle, managed to steal Aquiras’ heart, becoming a god himself. Now Priskil mourned her husband very much, but although he was weakened, he was not dead yet. And in the core of all this madness, something good was born. Priskil refused to bow under the weight of her burden, and although there were many challenges to her dead husband and although she hadn’t thought of herself as much of a fighter beforehand, she quickly grew into a ruthless defender. To this day she stands by his side, never once letting go of the belief that he will be restored eventually. And that is why she is the goddess of vigilance and hope not just radiance and light.” Orin smiled, taking hope from that fact. It was possible for a non-combatant to overcome the odds and become a warrior.

There were important lessons to be learned from that story. First and foremost, that love transcends everything and can motivate people to do extraordinary acts. Unfortunately, Orin had a hard time remembering that himself. Maybe if he’d been shown even a little bit of it in his lifetime, it would be different. But those who should’ve cared for him abandoned him. He hid a hard, bitter, and dark part of himself away from the world and away from himself, that part of him that should be able to love but didn’t. However, he was trying everything he knew to model his love after that Priskil and Aquiras shared. He didn’t know if it was working but it was worth a shot. There wasn’t exactly anyone Orin loved right now, so he hadn’t had time to test his newfound convictions. Sylvette was the closest and his relationship with her wasn’t exactly one of romantic love, more that a brother would show to a younger sister. Or, at least, that’s what Orin assumed and strove for, considering that he was an only child.

But the other, much more important idea to be taken from that was that hope could make people do remarkable things. And therefore it was necessary to cling to it, especially in the darkest of times when it was most likely to be lost. Orin truly and firmly believed that, despite everything he had been through. It might make him naive, it might make him innocent, it might make him an idiot, but he had to believe that there was still good out there. And if there wasn’t, then it was his duty to make good.

These thoughts were interrupted by an incredulous voice. ”That’s it?” Orin turned his gaze upon his audience. They seemed dissatisfied for some reason. He knew he wasn’t a good storyteller but the information he just gave them seemed pretty important in his mind. ”Well, yes, don’t you think you’ve learned something?” A chorus of nos met his ears, followed quickly by demands for another story. He sighed, and tried to dredge something up from his past, something that might be more palatable to this lot. He stalled for time by serving out the now hot cider. As one boy came up for his drink, he leaned into Orin to whisper. ”You got tell something scarier.” And that took Orin back, to a long time ago, when he had huddled terrified as one of the older teenagers in Mithryn Outpost had told a bone-chilling tale that he’d sworn was true. Gulping, Orin pulled the memory of it from deep inside his brain.

by **Orin Fenix** on June 9th, 2015, 2:24 pm

However, the kitchen, with its air now scented with spiced cider and its cheery decorations, somehow didn’t seem like the appropriate venue. He dragged the crowd into the library instead, admonishing them that if they spilled on one of the books Aenysa wouldn’t like it very much. When they had finally settled down, Orin began speaking. His voice was soft and he trembled in remembered fear. ”It is said, by those who have the knowing of it, that many years ago there was a woman who lived deep in the Cobalt Mountains. This woman wielded dangerous magic and had powers we couldn’t even begin to comprehend. Everyone lived in fear of her, because she seemingly couldn’t be killed. For one, she was nearly impossible to be found unless she wanted to be. For another, any of the great warriors and wizards who did discover her lair were cut down. Even the Syliran Knights couldn’t seem to stem her reign of terror. It was more apt to call her a monster because although her outward appearance was human enough, inside there wasn’t a scrap of good or decency.

Now, this woman had a servant. He was bound to her with chains of darkness and ties of magic and bindings in his soul. He didn’t care much for her but he didn’t have much choice since his will was superseded by hers. She changed him, transforming him with arcane feats until he became a beast. His claws were bigger than your head and he had large, leathery bat wings that would blot out the moon when he flew. His teeth were sharp and his face was a nightmare. Now, this woman had a peculiar craving. Just like one of us might want sweets, she delighted in eating human flesh. And she especially liked the flesh of a child just like you.” Orin took a deep breath to steady himself and let the import of his words sink in. Even though his ability with words was minimal at best, the quality of this particular tale showed in its ability to terrify even with a mediocre speaker.

”She would send her lackey into the city and fields every couple of nights. And he would hunt, and hunt, and hunt because if he didn’t her wrath would be terrible and he would be beaten. Now, the beast, under all those spells and years of torment still had a heart. Like her, his appearance didn’t match what he was inside. So while it might have been wrong, he tried to only snatch the bad children, those who would grow up into bad men and women and just make trouble with the world. The witch didn’t care one way or another, since she only cared for the meat she could get. So this went on for many years.

Now as it happened there was a young shepherdess who ventured out one day with her flock. She was pure and innocent and while her outside might not have shown it, anyone seeing her smile or laugh would recognize her soul. She was very nearly joy itself. This fateful day, her flock took her farther away than she normally roamed, but she had no fear. Even as night fell and she was still driving them back, she stayed carefree. The beast had been searching for many nights now for a suitable candidate, but the city was running out of those with evil in their hearts. And his compulsions were closing in. So when he saw this girl, he had to take her as he had no other options.

So he swooped down and snatched her up much to the shock and dismay of her sheep. He was crying as he did it, but he took her nonetheless. The girl, seeing his tears reached out and touched his face. ‘You have the joy of the sky,’ she told him. ‘Why do you weep?” He didn’t answer. As they approached the cottage where the woman dwelled, he landed, trying to prolong it for as long as possible, his tears fell harder. ‘You have all the wonder of the woods around you,” the girl said. ‘Why do you cry?’ She seemed more concerned for his well-being than for her own although she surely knew her fate. As the cottage came into view, the girl asked one last question. ‘You have a home you call your own. Why do you suffer?’ At this something deep within the beast broke, and he halted, fighting the bond he had with the woman as hard as he could.

But her strength was still too much for him and the door swung opened and the girl was brought inside. The woman’s eyes lit up with glee. ‘Come, come my pretty child,’ she cackled, ‘come to my side.’ The girl was entranced somehow, and took faltering steps forward. ‘That’s it, that’s it, very good.’ The woman backed away and the girl kept coming until they were standing in front of an oven. Then, almost too quickly to behold, the woman struck, pushing the girl into the oven. The screams were terrible to behold and the woman started dancing with glee.” Orin surveyed the rows of tearful eyes in front of him and realized that he’d actually managed to get a reaction out of them. But the story wasn’t over quite yet.

by **Orin Fenix** on June 9th, 2015, 2:25 pm

Now the woman in her celebration let her concentration slip. And with that, her leash slipped as well, and the beast, who had been straining to be free, suddenly found that he was. And as he was mad with rage, he leapt upon her. She realized her peril almost too late as he set into her with the weapons she had forged for him. She fought back giving as good as she got, laughing all the while. Through it all, the girl screamed, but it grew fainter and fainter, until it finally disappeared. The battle raged all throughout the cottage and the beast and the woman used every trick they had to try and kill the other.

But the woman had created the beast and so had the power to destroy him as well. Eventually, she blasted him down, despite his valiant efforts to take her with him. However, he had weakened her considerably, both by wounding her and in the power she had to expend to get rid of him. The defenses she used to hide her home were gone. The girl had been much beloved and when she hadn’t returned nearly half the Knighthood was rallied, for she was the daughter of one of its most prominent members. And the cacophony of the fight had echoed through the mountains. The Order was closing in. The woman realized this, and realized that she couldn’t fight them off this time. If she stayed, it would be her undoing. So she fled, deeper into the mountains, into the caves there until she disappeared.” Orin gulped, for he was coming upon the part that had given him nightmares as a child.

”But she wasn’t gone, oh no. She was simply biding her time, licking her wounds, and waiting for the right moment to get her revenge. For she blamed the city for her downfall, and had spent years in the darkness strengthening herself until she could tear down the walls that we hold so dear. So if you ever hear a noise in the night, know that she is out there, watching, waiting for the perfect opportunity. And her craving for children has only gotten worse as time goes on.” He finally raised his head to look at the children in front of him. They were stuck fast, as Orin had been all those years ago. It was a chilling tale, made all the more horrifying when the lights were out and things were moving out there in the dark. And it very well could be true, although Orin prayed it wasn’t.

The moment was broken by Aenysa, who had slipped in at some point during Orin’s story. She clapped her hands and every eye in the room turned to her. ”That’s about enough of that. You all have chores to do, don’t you?” The orphans groaned but went off happily enough, probably needing the release of the mundane at this point. They thanked Orin as they left and Aenysa smiled indulgently at them. Finally they were alone and Aenysa turned with a grin. ”Again, I can’t thank you enough for taking over for me. Although we should probably talk about your choice of recreational activities.” Orin shrugged, embarrassed, but he’d do it all again. Sometimes it was good to remember that evil was out there. But Aenysa’s voice didn’t actually seem mad, more amused, so Orin figured she didn’t mind all that much. The two of them started walking to the door, and Aenysa pulled it open for him and gestured for him to go out. ”Until next time, Master Fenix.”

Orin stepped outside and immediately gasped. ”Aenysa you have got to see this.” She peered her head out the door and followed the direction of Orin’s finger. The clouds had broken, and a glorious rainbow stretched over nearly all of Syliras. Its colors were vivid, its edges sharp, and it disappeared far into the distance. Orin stood there entranced. Somehow, after the tale he just told, this seemed like a sign from the gods themselves, and Orin almost felt that Priskil herself was speaking to him. Whatever it was, it seemed to say that for everything dark, there is light, and for evil there is always going to be good to stand against it. Orin felt tears come to his eyes, even as the rainbow started to break apart in a spray of mist. He’d stick to his ideals, even if it meant that he had to be the torch in the night himself. Because if he had the means to improve other’s lives and prevent the tragedy that his own had become, then he had to.

by **Sayana** on August 3rd, 2015, 3:49 pm

Orin

Skills:

Skill	EXP
Running	+1
Acrobatics	+1
Leadership	+3
Childcare	+3
Rhetoric	+2
Storytelling	+4
Philosophy	+2
Hosting	+1
Observation	+1

Lores:

Childcare: Leading children in various activities
Storytelling: Story of the Valterrain
Storytelling: Story of Aquiras's heart
Importance of hope
Storytelling: Story of the woman who ate children

Comments :

Don't forget to edit/delete your grade request in the grade request thread. However, make sure to keep the link so that the DS can review graded threads with ease.

If you have any questions or concerns about your grade please feel free to send me a message (like really, I’m all ears if you feel like I missed something).

Enjoy.